Second-round action concludes at the WTA National Bank Open on Thursday in Toronto with some exciting matches throughout the day. The top WTA stars will be in action including the #1 seed, Coco Gauff, and local interest Leylah Fernandez. As always, we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate for Day 3. But who will advance to the next round?
WTA Toronto Day 3 Predictions
Victoria Azarenka vs Greet Minnen
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Both these players had a similar scoreline in their first-round match, losing just four games en route to their victory. Both had tough matches so such straightforward wins were unexpected. Victoria Azarenka has made a good start to her North American summer and will look to go deep this week. Greet Minnen crushed Sloane Stephens and got only her sixth tour-level win of the year. Minnen has already made an impact in her debut at the National Bank Open and will be delighted to keep going. This would be a tough challenge for Azarenka but her superior experience at these big tournaments gives her an advantage.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Leylah Fernandez vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-head: Fernandez 1-0 Krueger
Leylah Fernandez got sloppy in the second set in her first-round match and has to be more clinical going forward. She is one of the few home interests left in the tournament and expectations are high on her shoulders. Ashlyn Krueger has lost a lot of first-round matches so she will be delighted to win here. Krueger was clinical against Cocciaretto and did not get broken all match. She has shown a lot of determination this week but Fernandez might be a huge task. These two met recently on grass where Fernandez won easily.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Coco Gauff vs Yafan Wang
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Coco Gauff lost to the eventual winner, Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open last year. She is the #1 seed this time and will expect to win the title. Gauff had a poor run at the Olympics and a solid week here will make up for it. Yafan Wang hasn’t lost a set in her three matches including the qualifying rounds. She has struggled to string consecutive wins in her last 10 tournaments but this week’s results will boost her confidence. I expect Gauff to make a strong start and Wang might not have the answers for the American’s quality.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
